WASHINGTON - As of 8:30 a.m. this morning, governors of four states in the southeast region of the U.S. have declared states of emergency, prompting some governors to place their National Guard on state active duty.
The Arkansas National Guard is providing 10 high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, also known as humvees, and 24 Army National Guard Soldiers for state active duty to conduct safety and wellness checks along interstate 30 between Little Rock, Ark. and Malvern, Ark.
They also are scheduled to open the Malvern and Benton armories for shelter opportunities to accommodate stranded motorists.
The Alabama National Guard has activated two Army National Guard Soldiers as liaison officers for the State Emergency Operation Center, and will continue to monitor the situation.
The Georgia National Guard is preparing equipment and issuing plans to support communities if the governor orders their mobilization.
“Soldiers and Airmen of the Georgia National Guard stand ready to do our part to help local communities recover, if we are needed,” said Army Maj. Gen. William Nesbitt, Georgia’s adjutant general.
Guardsmen already conducting their monthly drills on Sunday prepared humvees, loaded equipment, prepositioned supplies, and updated plans to mobilize, should the Governor call upon them.
The Georgia Guard’s Joint Forces Headquarters also brought its Joint Operations Center staffing up to operating capacity on Sunday in order to monitor the storm and manage any potential response by the National Guard.